ABSTRACT
In Jesus' final appearance to his Disciples before returning to heaven, he repeats his promise that he will send his Holy Spirit to them. The coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost is a defining moment in the history of Christianity. The Disciples receive understanding of what Jesus has done through his death and Resurrection, together with the power to communicate this message to others, and become the nucleus of a new and rapidly growing community. The conversion of St Paul was followed by the radical decision by St Peter to offer the message of salvation to non-Jews, and Churches containing both Jews and Gentiles sprang up in Asia Minor, Greece and Rome. Letters were written to these Churches to instruct members about belief and behaviour. There is a link between the suffering which members of the Early Church are experiencing for their faith and the willing sacrifice which Jesus Christ made for the sake of others.
